Kapu reservation movement leader Mudragada Padmanabham formally launched his indefinite fast along with his wife from his residence in Kirlampudi, a village in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Though he began his fast at 9 am, he said he was ready to call off his hunger strike if the government reduces the tenure of the Kapu Commission, headed by Justice Manjunadha, from nine months to three months.
This window for negotiation has come as a great relief for the government. Government sources believe that some compromise could be worked out on this because, the tenure could be cut by one to two months.
While talking about the fast unto death, Mudragada always wished to open a communication channel with the Government. Last evening, he openly invited the government for talks by stating the was ready for a negotiated settlement. Responding to his call, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had dispatched two Kapu MLAs Bonda Umamaheswara Rao and Thota Trimurthulu and MLC Boddu Bhaskar Rao to Kirlampudi to negotiate with the protagonist of Kapu reservation movement late last night. According to sources, the talks were fruitful. Mudragada is said go have agreed to call of the hunger strike once he was informed of the chief minister response on cutting short the tenure of Justice Manjuandha Commission.
Later chief minister Naidu is said to have asked the chief secretary SP Tucker to discuss the demand with Justice Manjunadha and find if it was possible for him to complete his work as early as possible. A statement is expected on the commission’s tenure later in the day or tomorrow.
On the other side, in view of the fast unto death, huge posse of police has been deployed in and around Kirlampudi. According to police, about 5000 special police personnel have been pressed into law and order duties in Pratipadu, Jaggampeta, Tuni constituencies to prevent the outbreak of violence during the fast. Section 144 has been clamped throughout the district.
Meanwhile, support is pouring in for Mudragada Padmanabham. Former Eluru MLA Alla Nani, former minister Koppana Mohan Rao, former MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhar REddy, Kapu Sangham leaders Vasireddy Yesudasu, M Mohan, Akula Rama etc met Mudragada and expressed their solidarity.
